Abstract

Endoscopic Findings in Egyptian Patients with Esophageal Dysphagia at Different Age Groups

Background: Dysphagia is the medical term for the symptom of difficulty in swallowing. Dysphagia can occur in all age groups, and its prevalence increases with aging. Diagnosis of dysphagia is important due to associated morbidity and mortality, so it warrants early evaluation. The current study aimed to determine the frequency of common endoscopic findings in Egyptian patients presenting with esophageal dysphagia.

Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out in the department of Gastroenterology, faculty of medicine, Alexandria University in the period from January 2012 -December 2014 .127 patients with dysphagia were included in the study and were subjected to endoscopy.

Results: A total of 127 patients; 73 females (57.5%), and 54 males (42.5%) presenting with dysphagia were studied, the mean age was 49.56 ± 16.41 years. gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD)/reflux esophagitis was the most common findings noted in 25(19.7%) patients, followed by esophageal structure noted in 22 patients (17.3%), esophageal mass in 21 patients (16.5%) , normal endoscopic findings in 20 patients (15.7%), achalasia of the esophagus in 12 patients (9.4%), eosinophilic esophagitis in 6(4.7%) patients , esophageal web/rings in 5(3.9%) patients, diffuse esophageal spasm in 4 patients (3.1%), foreign body impaction in 2 patients (1.6%), and hiatal hernia in 2 patients (1.6). 8 (6.3%) patients had findings other than the ones mentioned above.

Conclusion: GERD/reflux esophagitis, and esophageal structures are the commonest cause of dysphagia in our population. Also malignant esophageal mass is the main cause of dysphagia in elderly population, both warrants early diagnosis and management.

Author(s): Marwa A.Saad, Ahmed I. Allakani, Magdy M.Bedewy

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